Marty Gordon
NRVsports@ourvalley.org
The final score was probably not what Radford University hoped for Wednesday against Virginia Tech, but it was good for local college basketball.
While other schools might be a bigger name for the Hokie basketball program, the Radford University game is important to both schools, and I think it should continue.
I can remember being a student at RU and wondering if the contest would ever take place. Last year, the Hokies came to the Dedmon Center and played in front of packed house. Tech has and will continue to play teams that I have never heard of, and several of those are lower-tiered Division I programs and even some Division II-type ones.
If you’re going to play those schools, why not keep Radford on the schedule.
I heard several times during last night’s game these kids know each other. They play together during the summer and the offseason. The fans from throughout the New River Valley wore t-shirts from both schools. I have to admit it was something that I enjoyed and I think many others did also.
I have asked several times whether the game will continue and never got an answer. Well, maybe this column and the response last night will convince athletic administrators that we need to renegotiate and do it all over again.
It would be good for both programs, thus Tech would not have to play Mercer or Portland State who I guess are named after the communities they are located in. There’s that argument again.
I encourage area basketball fans that wear both red and maroon to express positive vibes in getting this game on future schedules. We need Radford against Virginia Tech.
I also have to pat the fans on the back that did show up to watch the two play this week, and I encourage them to attend more home games for both teams.
Good college basketball can be found in the New River Valley.
Former Virginia Tech player Ace Custis will be back in the Cassell this weekend as the University of Maryland Eastern Shore comes to town. Custis is an assistant coach at the school.